Indie Pop
The genre we have chosen is indie pop. Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s. Indie Pop is genre characterised by pop conventions and structure, and a melodic, lighthearted sound. Artists generally use typical rock instrumentation (drums, guitar, bass, vocals), although some artists deviate from this, sometimes including electronics, piano, strings, or even eschewing guitar altogether. Indie Pop artists tend to have a seemingly primitive and simplistic approach to music.
Codes and Conventions
Typically includes structurally simple songs. they often follow typical pop patterns such as ABABA and are fairly short. When guitars are used, they usually play chords in a lo-fi, warm strummy style. Keyboards are used to add a clear melodic layer. they will have simple parts that steadily move through ringing pitches. Percussion usually helps keep an upbeat rhythm throughout the song and rarely becomes complicated. xylophones are also helpful in creating a cheerful environment. The main melody is usually revealed through the vocals. songs will rely on catchy choruses. vocals will not be harsh. the lyrics should be simple, relatable and cute. female vocalists predominate. duets, vocal trade offs and male/female call and response style vocals are also common.
Friday, 11 October 2013
Thursday, 10 October 2013
Representation and the Male Gaze
Representation
Representation is linked to gender, age, class and ethnicity. A key in the study of representation concern is with the way in which representations are made to seem ‘natural’. Systems of representation are the means by which the concerns of ideologies are framed; such systems‘position’ their subjects. Stuart Hall in his video-lecture "Representation & the Media," describes representation as the act of re-presenting a meaning that already exists. Hall concludes that representation is the way in which meaning is given to depict images and words, which stand for something else. Similarly, Hall concludes “representation has no fixed meaning until it has been represented”. Media producers inevitably make choices: they select and combine, they make events into stories, they create characters, they invite us to see the world in a particular way. Media offer us versions of reality. But audiences also compare media with their own experiences, and make judgments about how far they can be trusted.
Media representations can be real in some ways and not in others: we may know that something is fantasy, yet it can still tell us about reality. The media constructs views of the real world for us to read and interpret. These views having been mediated provide filtered and partial meanings. However we mostly ignore this selection and often fail to question the language and images that are used. Like wallpaper they are just there. In order for our students to begin to see behind their backs we need to show them how such meanings are constructed to appear 'natural'. ll media messages are ‘constructed.’ We should not think of media texts (newspaper articles, TV shows, comic books to name just a few) as “natural” things. Media texts are built just as surely as buildings and highways are built. The building materials involved vary from one kind of text to another. In a magazine, for example, there are words in different sizes and typefonts, photographs, colors, layout and page location.
The Male Gaze
The Male gaze is a term from film theory. It is used to describe when the audience is put into the perspective of a (heterosexual) man. Female characters are sexualized, and the camera may zero in on female body parts considered sexual.
Applying the male gaze: Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball
This opening shot of Miley Cyrus is a close up of her face, complying with the rule of thirds. Her lipstick significantly stands out as it is a bold red colour contrasting with her complexion and pure white background, similarly to her blue eyes. The mouth and eyes are both features of the face that are typically associated with females. Thus, making her look attractive and complying with the Male gaze theory as she would be attractive to a heterosexual male audience. Also, as Miley Cyrus is looking direct into the camera this builds a connection between her and the audience, making the music video feel more personal for the audience as she expresses her emotions. The first shot Miley Cyrus’ costume consists of a pair of Dr Martens in this shot- shoes that are typically associated with men as they are extremely masculine, especially the dark colour of them. Additionally, as this shot is low angle it draws attention to them and symbolizes masculinity. Also the use of the hammer within the mes en scene again emphasises the masculinity as it is typically used in building work – a profession that is male dominated. This goes against the Male gaze theory ideal, however, as Miley Cyrus does not have any clothing over her legs suggests there is still an element of femininity. The next shot is a close up of Miley, placing the hammer in the centre of the shot along with her lips. This therefore draws attention and signifies the action she is carrying out – licking a hammer. This complies with the Male Gaze theory by Mulvey as this shot has sexual connotations. Thus, creating an erotic gaze for a heterosexual male. The following shot is extremely empowering for Miley Cyrus as she shows no expression or emotion to the destructiveness behind her. Her costume in this shot consists of white briefs and a white crop top – showing the majority of her body – complying with Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory as Miley Cyrus is presented here as an erotic gaze. However, simultaneously opposing the theory as she takes on the dominant and superior role within the music video.
Miley's opinion of the video and the real meaning is explained:
The representation in this video has caused great controversy in the media, however, despite this the use of representation in it has gain to have millions of views on youtube in a small period of time, showing how this use of representation was very successful.
Representation is linked to gender, age, class and ethnicity. A key in the study of representation concern is with the way in which representations are made to seem ‘natural’. Systems of representation are the means by which the concerns of ideologies are framed; such systems‘position’ their subjects. Stuart Hall in his video-lecture "Representation & the Media," describes representation as the act of re-presenting a meaning that already exists. Hall concludes that representation is the way in which meaning is given to depict images and words, which stand for something else. Similarly, Hall concludes “representation has no fixed meaning until it has been represented”. Media producers inevitably make choices: they select and combine, they make events into stories, they create characters, they invite us to see the world in a particular way. Media offer us versions of reality. But audiences also compare media with their own experiences, and make judgments about how far they can be trusted.
Media representations can be real in some ways and not in others: we may know that something is fantasy, yet it can still tell us about reality. The media constructs views of the real world for us to read and interpret. These views having been mediated provide filtered and partial meanings. However we mostly ignore this selection and often fail to question the language and images that are used. Like wallpaper they are just there. In order for our students to begin to see behind their backs we need to show them how such meanings are constructed to appear 'natural'. ll media messages are ‘constructed.’ We should not think of media texts (newspaper articles, TV shows, comic books to name just a few) as “natural” things. Media texts are built just as surely as buildings and highways are built. The building materials involved vary from one kind of text to another. In a magazine, for example, there are words in different sizes and typefonts, photographs, colors, layout and page location.
The Male Gaze
The Male gaze is a term from film theory. It is used to describe when the audience is put into the perspective of a (heterosexual) man. Female characters are sexualized, and the camera may zero in on female body parts considered sexual.
Applying the male gaze: Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball
This opening shot of Miley Cyrus is a close up of her face, complying with the rule of thirds. Her lipstick significantly stands out as it is a bold red colour contrasting with her complexion and pure white background, similarly to her blue eyes. The mouth and eyes are both features of the face that are typically associated with females. Thus, making her look attractive and complying with the Male gaze theory as she would be attractive to a heterosexual male audience. Also, as Miley Cyrus is looking direct into the camera this builds a connection between her and the audience, making the music video feel more personal for the audience as she expresses her emotions. The first shot Miley Cyrus’ costume consists of a pair of Dr Martens in this shot- shoes that are typically associated with men as they are extremely masculine, especially the dark colour of them. Additionally, as this shot is low angle it draws attention to them and symbolizes masculinity. Also the use of the hammer within the mes en scene again emphasises the masculinity as it is typically used in building work – a profession that is male dominated. This goes against the Male gaze theory ideal, however, as Miley Cyrus does not have any clothing over her legs suggests there is still an element of femininity. The next shot is a close up of Miley, placing the hammer in the centre of the shot along with her lips. This therefore draws attention and signifies the action she is carrying out – licking a hammer. This complies with the Male Gaze theory by Mulvey as this shot has sexual connotations. Thus, creating an erotic gaze for a heterosexual male. The following shot is extremely empowering for Miley Cyrus as she shows no expression or emotion to the destructiveness behind her. Her costume in this shot consists of white briefs and a white crop top – showing the majority of her body – complying with Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory as Miley Cyrus is presented here as an erotic gaze. However, simultaneously opposing the theory as she takes on the dominant and superior role within the music video.
Miley's opinion of the video and the real meaning is explained:
The representation in this video has caused great controversy in the media, however, despite this the use of representation in it has gain to have millions of views on youtube in a small period of time, showing how this use of representation was very successful.
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